One Plus One is Better than Two: An Approach Towards a Single Blastocyst Transfer Policy for All IVF Patients.

OBJECTIVE: It is known that the single embryo transfer (SET) is the best choice to reduce multiples and associated risks. The practice of cryopreserving all embryos for posterior transfer has been increasingly performed for in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients at the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome or preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy. However, its widespread practice is still controverse. The aim of this study was to evaluate how effective is the transfer of two sequential SET procedures compared with a double embryo transfer (DET) in freeze-only cycles. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed 5,156 IVF cycles performed between 2011 and 2019, and 506 cycles using own oocytes and freeze-only policy with subsequent elective frozen-thawed embryo transfers (eFET) were selected for this study. Cycles having elective SET (eSET, n = 209) comprised our study group and as control group we included cycles performed with elective DET (eDET, n = 291). In the eSET group, 57 couples who had failed in the 1st eSET had a 2nd eFET, and the estimated cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate was calculated and compared with eDET. RESULTS: After the 1st eFET, the ongoing pregnancy rates were similar between groups (eSET: 35.4% versus eDET: 38.5%; p = 0.497), but the estimated cumulative ongoing pregnancy rate after a 2nd eFET in the eSET group (eSET + SET) was significantly higher (48.8%) than in the eDET group (p < 0.001). Additionally, the eSET + SET group had a 2.7% rate of multiple gestations, which is significantly lower than the eDET group, with a 30.4% rate (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study showed the association of freeze-only strategy with until up to two consecutive frozen-thawed eSETs resulted in higher success rates than a frozen-thawed DET, while drastically reducing the rate of multiple pregnancies.

OBJETIVO: Sabe-se que a transferência de embrião único (SET) é a melhor escolha para reduzir as gestações múltiplas e riscos associados. A prática da criopreservação de todos os embriões para transferência posterior tem sido cada vez mais utilizada para fertilização in vitro (FIV), em especial quando há risco de síndrome de hiperestimulação ovariana ou realização de teste genético pré-implantacional. Entretanto, sua utilização disseminada ainda é controversa. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia de duas SET sequenciais em comparação com uma transferência de embrião dupla (DET) em ciclos de FIV onde todos os embriões foram criopreservados. MéTODOS: Neste estudo retrospectivo foram revisados 5.156 ciclos de FIV realizados entre 2011 e 2019, e 506 ciclos usando oócitos próprios e criopreservação de todos os embriões com transferências eletivas subsequentes de embriões descongelados, foram selecionados para este estudo. Ciclos com transferência eletiva de embrião único (eSET, n = 209) compuseram nosso grupo de estudo e como grupo de controle incluímos os ciclos com transferência eletiva de dois embriões (eDET, n = 291). No grupo eSET, 57 casais que falharam na 1ª tentativa de eSET tiveram uma 2ª eFET e a taxa de gravidez em curso cumulativa foi estimada para o grupo eSET e comparada com o grupo eDET. RESULTADOS: Após a 1ª eFET, as taxas de gravidez em curso foram semelhantes entre os grupos (eSET: 35,4% versus eDET: 38,5%; p = 0,497), mas a taxa de gravidez em curso cumulativa estimada após a 2ª eFET no grupo eSET (eSET + SET) foi significativamente maior (48,8%) do que no grupo eDET (p < 0,001). Além disso, as taxas de gestação múltipla foram expressivamente inferiores no grupo eSET + SET (2,7%) quando comparado ao grupo eDET (30,4%; p < 0,001). CONCLUSãO: Nosso estudo mostrou que a associação das estratégias de congelamento de todos os embriões com até duas eSETs sequenciais resultou em maiores taxas de sucesso do que uma DET com embriões descongelados, além de reduzir drasticamente a ocorrência de gestações múltiplas.

Bariatric Surgery Impact on Reproductive Hormones, Semen Analysis, and Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Men with Severe Obesity: Prospective Study.

PURPOSE: Growing evidence in the literature suggests that obesity is capable of altering reproductive hormone levels and male fertility. Effects on classic semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), however, have not been properly established. Additionally, the impact of bariatric surgery (BS) on those parameters is still controversial. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In Phase 1, 42 patients with obesity and 32 fertile controls were submitted to reproductive hormone evaluation, semen analysis, and SDF testing. In Phase 2, patients with obesity were submitted to BS or clinical follow-up and were invited to 6-month revaluation. RESULTS: Phase 1: Men with obesity have higher levels of estradiol, LH, and FSH and lower levels of total testosterone (TT) when compared with eutrophic fertile men. Additionally, they present worse semen parameters, with reduction in ejaculated volume and sperm concentration, worse sperm motility and morphology, and higher SDF. Phase 2: 32 patients returned to revaluation. Eighteen were submitted to BS (group S) and 14 were not submitted to any specific therapeutic regimen (group NS). In group S, TT more than doubled after surgery (294.5 to 604 ng/dL, p < 0.0001). Worsening of sperm concentration and total ejaculated sperm count were also noticed, and 2 patients became azoospermic after BS. SDF, however, improved after the procedure. No changes in the variables studied were observed in non-operated patients. CONCLUSION: In this prospective study, we have found that BS results in improvements in reproductive hormone levels and SDF after 6-month follow-up. Sperm concentration, however, reduced after the procedure.

Positive rheotaxis extended drop: a one-step procedure to select and recover sperm with mature chromatin for intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a novel one-step ICSI approach to select sperm with better chromatin maturity than the conventional method. METHODS: This was a pilot diagnostic study, which prospectively recruited men during a 6-month period in a University-affiliated infertility centre. Forty consecutive semen samples were provided for analysis. The positive rheotaxis extended drop (PRED) was set up creating a pressure and viscosity gradient. Each semen sample was divided into four aliquots: one aliquot for density gradient centrifugation (DGC), two aliquots for PRED (fresh semen (PRED-FS) and processed semen (PRED-DGC)), and one aliquot as the control (FS). In PRED, a mean of 200 spermatozoa were collected consecutively without selection from the outlet reservoir. The aniline blue assay was used to assess chromatin immaturity. RESULTS: The mean channel length, measured from inlet to outlet, was 32.55 ± 0.86 mm, with a mean width of 1.04 ± 0.21 mm. In 82.5% of cases (33/40), at least 50 spermatozoa were captured between 15 and 30 min. Improved chromatin maturity after the DGC preparation and the PRED approach was observed in all samples. This was reflected by a mean reduction from 28.65 ± 8.97% uncondensed chromatin in the native ejaculates to 17.29 ± 7.72% in DGC and 0.89 ± 1.31% in the PRED approach (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The PRED method may improve the current ICSI technique by providing it with its own sperm selection process. ICSI would probably become an even more complete technique comprising selection, capture and injection of the male gamete.